Method of making tires



y 23, 1940- D. A. MACDONALD El AL ,7 7

METHOD OF MAKING TIRES Original Filed April 17, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 23, 0- D. A. MACDONALD ET AL ,7 7

METHOD OF MAKING TIRES '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed April '17, 1937 smw WWW m M M mm m Aw A. 0Q: m w. Y. B \N I o k 0 A6 N Q Q \\&% R3 Mm m3 y 23, 1940- D. A. MACDONALD n AL 2208,767

METHOD OF MAKING TIRES Original Filed April 1'7, 193'? 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 ,,5/ :7 fiiv 5 Z II west lll/ llllllll k I u g;

a V W225 1 59. '4 BY pgi/vm/rmawwwf 1 a AMRNEYS? y 23, 0- D. A. MACDONALD ET AL 2,208,767

rm'raon OF MAKING TIRES Original Filed April 17, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 MW R.

Mm A mm Y B y 23, 1940- D. A. MACDONALD ET AL 2,208,767

METHOD OF MAKING TIRES Original Filed April 17. 193'; v Sheets-Sheet 5 y 23, 1940- D. A. MACDONALD ET AL 2,208,

METHOD OF MAKING TIRES Original Filed April 17, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 a? 4 V W4 7 4 @0 j! 430 K 4 V Mww/ /%//4 IN VEN L ,0 IL 78 AATIURNEY y 23, 1940- D. A. MACDONALD ET AL 2 8,767

METHOD OF MAKING TIRES Original Filed April 17, 1937 7 Sheeis-Sheet "r A TTORNEYS.

iatented July 23, 1940 I UNITED STATES 2,208,767 METHOD OF MAKING TIRES Donald A.

hoe, Indianapolis, Ind.,

United States Rubber Company, a corporation of New Jersey April 17, 1937, Serial No. Divided and this application Decem- Serial No. 177,676

scription, when considered in connection with slgnments, to New York, N. Y.,

Original application 137,445. her 2, 1937,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to methods of making pneumatic tires, and in particular it relates to a method for automatically assembling the various elements of pneumatic tires. This is a divisional application of our application Serial No.

137,445, filed April 1'7, 1937.

Essentially, the invention consists of two drums spaced apart, adaptable for supporting tire components looped around the drums, in somewhat the manner of pulleys supporting a belt. Means is also provided for feeding fabric plies from a position parallel to the axes of the drums to a position tangent to one drum in'the area engaged by the tire elements as they extend around the drum.

An object of the invention is to provide increased emciency in the manufacture of. pneumatic tires. This is attained by increasing the production output per tire building unit, by accomplishing greater uniformity of product, by permitting greater production relative 'to the manufacturing area or floor space and thereby facilitating stock concentration, by reducing manual labor, and by reducing .errors attributed to manual operations. 1

A conventional method building pneumatic tires is to assemble the various elements ofa tire on a building drum in substantially pulley band shape. Thereafter the tire is shaped and vulcanized. Y

In the manufacture of tires on a conventional building drum certain difilculties are encountered. For example, the various elements of the tire must be applied, one on top of the othenuntil the tire carcass is completed. In accordance with the practice of our invention, the various tire elements need not be applied in this order, but certain of the elements may be subsequently assembled beneath other elements of the tire carcass. Such an arrangement is of particular advantage when it is considered that the various plies of a tire must be folded around the bead wires. By permitting the fabric plies to be assembled both underneath and on top of the bead wires, various automatic methods of anchoring the fabric with the bead wires are possible, thereby eliminating much of the manual labor heretofore needed in the assembling of tire bands.

A further feature of the invention is that the fabric and other component parts of the tire may be readily assembled with the supporting beads on a building drum, and the completed tire band may be easily removed from the'drum. Furthermore, the proper degree of tension to be imparted circumferentlally to the carcass may be readily controlled. Also, our apparatus is more adaptable to various methods of assembling tire elements.

These and other objects and advantages will appear more fully in the following detailed de- Macdonald and Cornelius M. ODonoassignors, by mesne asthe accompanying drawings,-in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of apparatus for practicing the method of our invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view thereof;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal view, in section, of a sheave tensioning device, taken along lines IV-IV of Fig. 1, the fabric positioning means being omitted;

Fig. 5 is a transverse view, in'section, of tenzifn 4app1ying means, taken along lines VV of Fig. 6 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a portion of the apparatus, illustrating a ply advancing means;

Fig. '7 is a transverse view, in section, of the ply advancing means, taken along lines VI1VII of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal view, in section of a fabric cutting means, taken along lines VIII-VIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal view, partly in section, of means for feeding a ply to the tire assembly;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged transverse view, in section of the ply feeding means, taken along lines .X-X of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view in perspective, illustrating the relative function of the principal operating elements; and

Figs. 12 to 19, inclusive, are diagrammatic views, illustrating a portion of a building drum, in section, in relation to the various tire elements that are formed thereon in various stages of the tire assembly.

While the drawings illustrate an embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing a two-ply pneumatic tire, it is to be understood that the apparatus may be adapted for building tires having more than two plies, and that the'various tire components may be arranged to form a tire carcass in accordance with various assembling methods for arranging the additional plies.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to Figs. 1 and 2, the principal divisions of the apparatus are a tire building support T, a fabric storage rack 2, fabric advancing means 3, a fabric cutting device 4, fabric positioning means 5, and a stock storage rack 6.

Tire building support Essentially, the tire building support I comprises pulleys l and 8, and sheaves 9 and In .(Fig. 2) These pulleys and sheaves form a triangular outline, the circumference of which describes the position of the carcass as it is assembled on the supports. The pulley Iis rotatably mounted on a shaft ll supported by a bracket I 2 at one end and supported by a main frame l3 at the other end. The pulley 8 is keyed to a shaft I4 rotatably mounted in a bracket 5 extending from the main frame l3. A worm.

- wheel |6 (Fig. 1) secured to the shaft l4 engages with a worm gear I! keyed to a shaft l8. A sheave |9 attached to the shaft l8 connects with a sheave 20 on a motor 2| through a belt 22. In this manner, a drive is provided for rotating the pulley 8. Means for controlling the motor 2| will be described hereinafter. With this assembly space is provided outside of the triangle formed by drums and 8, and sheaves 9 and ID for the application and removal of bead wire and tire bands, respectively.

The pulleys 1 and 8 are provided with grooves 23 and 24, respectively, for the purpose of positioning bead wires which form component parts of the tire carcass. The sheaves 9 and I0 are located in the same plane as the grooves 23 and 24, so that the bead wires when positioned in the grooves 23 and 24 are in proper alignment with the sheaves 9 and. ID.

The purpose of the sheaves 9 and I6 is to apply tension to the bead wires during the tire building operation. They also permit the assembly and removal of the bead Wires relative to the drums 7 and 8. This is accomplished by mounting the sheaves on pivotal arms'25 and 26. The arm 25 is keyed to a shaft 21 (Figs. 1 and 5), and a spring 28 acting upon the arm 25 against the bracket |2 maintains the arm in its normal contracted position. A sleeve 29 rotatably fitting over the shaft 21 forms a part of the hub of the arm 26. A spring 30' engaging with the arm 26 and bracket l2 also operates to maintain the sheave III in a contracted position. The shaft 21 is supported at one end by the bracket l2 (Figs. 2 and 5), while at the other end it is supported from the frame l3 through the sleeve 29 (Fig. 5). When bead wires are assembled on the supports, manual means are operated for moving the sheaves 9 and It] to an extended position, thereby applying tension to the bead-wires during the tire building operation.

Means for actuating the sheaves 9 and Hi to an extended position comprises a double fluid operating cylinder 3| (Figs. 2 and 11) controlled by a three-way foot actuated valve housing 32. Conduits 33 and 34 connect the fluid operating cylinder 3| with the valve housing 32. When the foot pedal 35 of the valve housing 32 is actuated, fluid is introduced into a chamber 36 (Fig. 4) of the fluid operating cylinder 3|. Within the cylinder 3| is a piston 31 and a piston rod 36. The outer end portion of the rod 38 is in the form of a rack which meshes with a gear 40 keyed to the sleeve 29. Therefore, the first movement of the foot pedal 35 results in an outward arcuate movement of the sheave I9. This outward movement is limited by engagement with the innermost bead wire positioned around the supports.

A second movement of the foot pedal 35 (Fig. 2) results in fluid pressure being introduced into the chamber 4| (Fig. 4) of the fluid operating cylinder 3|. Within this chamber a piston 42 connects with a piston rod 43. This movement is communicated'to a rod 44 through a link 45. A rack 46 at one end of the rod 44 meshes with a gear 41 keyed to the shaft 21. Therefore, through actuation of the piston 42 rotary movement is transmitted to the shaft 21, causing the sheave 9 to swing with the shaft 21 and apply tension to the outermost bead wire positioned on the supports.

The cylinder 3| and its associated mechanism are guided and supported by a housing 48 fas- Fabric storage rack As shown in particular in Fig. 3, a fabric storage rack 2 is provided for supplying fabric in continuous strip form to the supports. This storage rack 2 is ofa simplified conventional form, and consists essentially of a frame 49 on which is mounted stock roll 56 carrying a roll of fabric 5|.

Tire fabric 52 is withdrawn from the roll 5|. The fabric 52 passes around a guide roller 53, and over a series of rollers 54 which position the fabric in proper relation with the fabric advancing means 3. A liner 55, which is customarily interposed between the convolutions of the fabric 52, is also withdrawn from the roll 5|, passes around guide roller 53, and is wound upon a liner roll 56. The liner roll 56 is rotatably mounted on an arm 51 pivoted at 58 to the frame 49.

The type of stock storage device as thus described is illustrative of a source of supply of ply fabric. However, it is to be understood that various types of fabric storage devices may be substituted for that disclosed herein. It should also be understood that the fabric storage rack may be equipped with various conventional automatic devices for relieving tension in the fabric stock before it is acted upon in subsequent operatio'ns.

The fabric 52 is utilized as the first ply of the tire assembly. It is preferable that the source of supply of this fabric is so positioned that a strip of fabric will extend in a plane substantially parallel to the axes of the pulleys on which the tire carcass is built. The object of thus positioning the fabric is to permit the first ply to approach the tire building pulleys in such manner that a ply may be positioned on top of the building pulleys but underneath the bead wires which have been previously assembled on the pulleys I and 8. It is therefore desirable that the first ply approach the building pulleys laterally and in a plane substantially beneath the circumferential plane of the tire carcass between the drums.

Fabric advancing means As the first ply fabric 52 leaves the fabric storage rack, it engages with the fabric advancing means 3. This means is particularly shown in Figs. 1, 3, 6, and 7. Essentially, the advancing means consists of a table 59 (Fig. 6) supporting a plurality of horizontal rollers 66 extending transversely of the fabric ply 52. The table 59 is in the form of a carriage, and rests upon the main frame l3. A pressure roller BI is positioned above one of the rollers 60 and is attached to a weighted bracket 62 pivotally mounted at 63 to a support 64. The purpose of the tension roller 6| is to prevent movement of the fabric 52 relative to its supporting rolls while the carriage is being advanced.

A hand lever 65 (Figs. 6 and 7) is provided as a manual means for controlling advancement of the carriage 59. Attached to the lever 65 is a gear segment 66 which meshes with a gear 61 75 keyed to a shaft 88. Also keyed -to the shaft 88 is a gear 89 which meshes with a rack 18 (Fig.1) secured to the under side of the carriage 59. A forward movement of the hand lever 95 results in an advancement of the carriage 59.

Normally the carriage 59 remains in a retracted position, which is effected by means of a chain II (Fig. 6) attached to the under side of the carriage 59. This chain 1I meshes with a sprocket 12 supported by a bracket 13 attached to the main frame I8, and a weight 14 attached to the end of the chain 1| normally urges the carriage 59 to its receded position.

As the hand lever 65 is moved to its forward position the lever contacts with a magnetic coil 15 (Fig. 3) supported from the side of the main frame I3. The object of the magnetic coil 15 is to hold the hand lever 85 and the carriage 59 in its advanced position until the fabric is engaged by a subsequent stock manipulating device. Means for releasing the manual lever 65 by cutting off the current leading to the magnetic coil 15 will be described hereinafter.

A bracket 16 (Fig. 3) attached to the end of the gear segment 86 is positioned in such manner that it will engage with and actuate an air valve 11 upon the return stroke of the hand lever 85. The description of the subsequent operation will explain the result of actuation of the air valve 11.

Fabric cutting device The present invention includes means for measuring a ply to form a tire component or ply strip of proper length, and cutting the ply diagonally in accordance with customary methods of severing plies for tire fabrics.

The cutting device is shown in particular in Figs. 1 and 8. The carriage 59 of the fabric advancing means moves the fabric into the path of a knife 18 (Fig. 8) carrying a blade 19. In complementary association with the knife blade 19 is a shearing bar 88 attached to the top of the frame I3. Knife blade 18 is pivoted at 8| to a bracket 82 extending from the side of the frame I3.

Normally the knife 18 is pivoted upwardly so as not to interfere with the fabric as it is advanced between the knife blade and shearing bar. The upward position of the knife 18 is maintained by a spring 83 located in a cavity 89 in the bracket 82. A plunger ity 84 and engages with a projection 86 extending from the knife 18.

The knife blade is actuated into shearing position by a fluid operating cylinder 81 attached to the bracket 82. A piston rod 88 extending from the cylinder 81 engages with a projection 89 forming a part of the knife 18. Admission of fluid under pressure to the cylinder 81 causes the piston rod 88 to move to an extended position, thereby forcing the knife blade 19 into cutting position with the shearing bar 88. Introduction of fluid under pressure to the cylinder 81 is accomplished automatically by the actuation of the fluid operating valve 11 (Fig. 3).

As shown more particularly in Fig. 11, the backward movement of the hand lever 85 causes the bracket 16'to engage with and actuate the fluid pressure operating valve 11. Actuation of this valve permits fluid pressure to pass through conduit 98 to the cylinder 81, thereby moving the piston 88 to an extended position and causing the knife blade 19 to descend upon the fabric 52. The rear end of the fabric is withdrawn 85 is slidable in the cav-' by the subsequently described mechanism. The new leading fabric edge rests on table 59 behind the bar 88 ready for a subsequent forward movement.

When the hand lever is manually moved to its forward position, the bracket 18 disengages with the fluid operating valve 11 and opensa conduit 9I connecting the valve 11 and cylinder 81 to the atmosphere. Thereafter the spring 83 acts upon the knife 18 to pivot same in its normal upward position.

The length of the ply or the cycle between successive cuts of the knife 18 is determined by the return stroke of the hand operated lever 65 from the magnetic coil 15 to the valve 11 and by the de-energization of coil 15. Circuits for effecting the breaking of the current to the magnetic coil 15 will be described hereinafter.

Fabric positioning means Means is provided for gripping the leading marginal end portion of the fabric 52 and positioning it in tangential relation with the building pulley 8. This abric positioning means 5 is particularly shown in Figs. 1, 9, and 10. Essentially, the fabric positioning means comprises an eccentric roller 92 located in parallel relation with the knife assembly 4, and adaptable for axial and rotary motion. Roller 92 is mounted on a shaft 93 supported at one end by a bearing 94 attached to the bracket I5. The opposite end of the shaft 93 is supported by a sleeve 95 rotatably mounted in a bracket 96 fastened to the top of the frame I3.

A plurality of fingers 91 (Fig. 10) extend from the lower portion of the roller 92, and are secured thereto by means of machine screws 98. The fingers 91 are so positioned as to form a recess for the reception of the leading marginal edge of the fabric 52 in the fully advanced position to the table 59. The roller 92 and fingers 91 are so located that the recess formed by the fingers is in substantially the same plane as the fabric 52 resting upon the advancing means 3.

When the hand lever 65 is moved to its forward position, thus actuating the fabric advancing means, the fabric 52 passes under the fabric cutting device, and the end moves into position in the recess formed by the fingers 91. This is shown in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 18.

In order to clamp the fabric 52 against the fingers 91, a plunger 99 in alignment with each finger 91 is slidable within a bore I88 in the roller 92 and is adapted to engage the fabric. A flat spring I8I (Fig. 9) maintains each plunger 99 out of contact with the fabric 52 unless the plunger is acted upon by a direct force. This prevents the fabric 52 from being crushed. A cam plunger I82, also slidable within each bore I88, permits transmission of movement from the plunger I82 to the plunger 99 through a spring I83. The cam plungers I82 are positioned in contact engagement with the surface of a depression I84 in the shaft 93. This depression acts as a cam for actuating the plungers I82 during movement of the shaft 93 relative; to the roller 92, the shaft 93 being restricted to axial movement only. To maintain this axial movement a keyway I85in the shaft 93 engages with a key I86, permanently attached to the bearing 98.

Actuation of the shaft 93 is produced by a pneumatic cylinder I81 (Figs. 2 and 11). Manual means for controlling this cylinder is effected by a foot pedal I88 connected with a fluid operating valve I89. A conduit II8 connecting the valve I89 with the cylinder I81 permits fluid t formed therein. A cam follower II1, supported by a bracket II 8 on the main frame I3, engages with the spiral groove II6.

As the sleeve 95 is rotated by movement of the piston rod III, the sleeve, being restricted in its movement due to the cam action, moves axially in a spiral path about the shaft 93. The shaft 93 also moves axially with the sleeve 95, but does not rotate due to its keyed relation with the bearing 94. Axial movement from the sleeve 95 to the shaft 93 is transmitted through a pin II9 extending through a hub I20 forming part of the cam II5. A groove I2I in the shaft 93 at this point permits relative rotary motion between the shaft 93 and the sleeve 95, but prevents relative axial movement therebetween.

The roller 92 (Fig. 9) is not secured fixedly to the shaft 93. Its relation to the shaft 93 is normally maintained by means of a collar I22 pinned to the shaft 93, thus providing-a backing for a spring I23 retained within a bore I24 at one end of the roller 92. The spring I23 exerts a pressure against the roller 92 to hold it under pressure against a friction washer I25 held stationary against the hub of the bracket H8. 7

As the piston rod I I I begins to move upwardly, the sleeve 95 is rotated in a spiral path. In the first stage of this operation the axial movement resulting from the spiral travel of the sleeve 95 is transmitted to the shaft 93. As a result of this axial movement, the shaft 93 moves axially in relation to the roller 92. When this occurs, the plungers I02 (Fig. 10) move out of the cam depressions I04 in the shaft 93, causing the plungers 99 to move radially outwardly from the rollers 92 to clamp the fabric 52 against the fingers 91.

As the sleeve 95 continues its spiral movement, a dog I26 (Fig. 9) located at the end of the sleeve 95 engages with an indentation I21 at the end of the roller 92. After this movement is made, the spiral movement of the sleeve 95 is transmitted to the roller 92. The plungers 99 and the clamping fingers 91 retain their grip on the fabric 52, thus carrying the fabric along with the spiral movement of the roller 92. In this operation the radial movement of the roller 92 is greater than 180 degrees. When the roller 92 rotates a little over 180 degrees, the plungers I02 drop into cam cavities I28 (Fig. 10) in the shaft 93, thus releasing the fabric 52 from the clamping fingers 91. The roller 92 continues to rotate until the fingers 91 are in such positionv that they will be out of the way of the fabric 52 after it is transferred to the under side of the preferably tacky surfaces of the bead wires passing around the pulleys 1 and 8. A plurality of rollers or discs I29 (Figs. 9 and 10) are rotatably mounted in spiral grooves I85 in the roller 92 for the purpose of facilitating movement of the fabric 52 when it is carried by the tire building pulley 8 around the roller 92.

As shown in Fig. 2, the top of the roller 92, in its normal or fabric gripping position, is located at an elevation relative to the pulleys I and 8, slightly lower than a line extending tangentially from the top of the pulley 1 to the top of the pulley 8. This is desirable so that the roller 92 will not interfere with the tire carcass as it is built upon the pulleys I and 8.

When the eccentric roller 92 is moved radially about 180 degrees the fabric 52 is brought into tight contact engagement with the under side of previously applied tire bead wires.

The roller 92 is permitted to remain at the delivery or fabric releasing end of its stroke until retracted in a subsequent operation. When it is retracted the operator manually actuates the foot pedal I08, thus causing the piston rod III to recede within the cylinder I01. This reverse movement causes the sleeve 95 to move in a spiral path to its original starting. position.

First ply assembly Prior to the application of the first ply, bead wires I30 (Fig. 12) are assembled in the grooves 23 and 24 in the pulleys 1" and 8, respectively. These bead wires also pass around sheaves 9 and I0, which, being pivotally mounted, apply pressure against the bead wires during the assembly of the tire carcass.

As the fabric 52 is brought into position by the roller 92, the surface of the fabric engages directly with the bead wires I30 (Figs. 2 and 13). The surfaces of both the fabric 52 and the bead wires I30 are of a tacky nature. Therefore, the fabric 52 readily adheres to the under side of the bead wires I30 and is drawn between them and the pulley 8. Before the roller 92 which holds the fabric 52 against the bead wires I30 is retracted, the building pulley 8 is rotated, thus moving the fabric 52 around the roller 92 and on to the drum 8 underneath the bead wires I30.

The motor 2| (Figs. 2 and 11) for driving the pulley 8 is controlled from a switch I3I operated by a foot pedal I32. The motor 2I is operated only when the foot pedal I32 is held in operating position. If desired, the release of the foot pedal I32 may be coupled with braking means (not shown) for preventing continued movement of the drum 8 due to momentum of the driving mechanism.

During rotationof the building pulley 8, the marginal portions of the fabric ply 52 (Figs. 14 to 18) are turned around the bead wires I 30 and are stitched down in that relation. This is accomplished by a stitching unit I33 (Fig. 2) which is pivoted at I 34 to a bracket I35 extending from the frame I3. A hand lever I36 permits the stitching unit to be manually moved into or out of engagement with the building pulley 8.

From a bracket I 31 forming the frame of the stitching unit I33 a plow I38 is attached in such manner as to connect substantially with the surface of the pulley 9. The purpose of this plow, as shown in Fig, 14, is to fold the marginal portions of the fabric 52 around the bead wires I30.

Following the plow is a disc I39 (Figs. 2 and 15) rotatably mounted on the frame I31. This disc stitches the fabric on top of the bead wires I 30 and further assists in turning the marginal portions of the fabric around the bead wires I30. A second stitching disc I40 (Figs. 2 and 16) also rotatably mounted on the frame I31, stitches the marginal portion of the fabric 52 which lies close to the bead wires I 30. A finishing stitcher |4l (Figs. 2 and 17), pivotally mounted on the frame I31, engages with the assembled ply, and rolls same in compact relation. This stitcher roll MI 52 approaches is composed of resilient material such as rubber, thereby permitting it to assume the contours of various irregularities in the assembled components of the tire carcass.

After the first ply fabric 52 (Fig. 2) is carried along the building pulley 8, it passes around the sheaves 9 and I0 and on to the building pulley 1. When the end of the first ply stock the top of the building pulley 1 it engages with a trip roller I42 pivotally communicating with an electrical switch box I43. The switch box itself is pivotally connected to the frame I3. As the trip roller I42 is actuated it cuts off the current leading both to the motor 2| and to the magnetic coil 15. These connections are shown in particular in the diagrammatic Figure 11.

Upon actuation of the trip roller I42, the motor 2| stops and the magnetic coil 16 releases its engagement with the hand lever 65, whereupon the lever 65 returns to its normal position by means of the return weight 14 (Fig. 6). As the hand lever 65 (Figs. 3 and 11) reaches its return stroke, the bracket 16 extending from the gear segment 66 forming a part of the hand lever 65 actuates the fiuid operating valve 11. This valve controls the fabric cutting unit 4, and by this actuation the cutting blade 19 descends and severs the fabric 52. The location of the fabric cutting unit 4 relative to the tire building supports and the cycle of its operation determine the length of the fabric 52 constituting the first ply. Thereafter the operator swings the switch box I43. (Figs. 2 and 11) on its pivot, thus bringing the trip roller I42 out of engagement with the tire carcass. At the same time the operator presses a button I44 located at the top of the switch box I43, with the result that the trip roller I42 is reset and the electrical connections between the motor 2| and the magnetic coil 15 are completed.

The operator next actuates the for starting the motor 2| to move the remainder of the ply onto the tire building supports. At

this cycle of operation the operator may actuate the foot pedal I08 for moving the roller 92 back to its normal position.

Control circuits An example of suitable wiring connections between the motor 2|, magnetic coil 15, and associated switch boxes I3I and I43, is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 11. Line I45 leads from a source of energy to the switch box I3I wherein a circuit may be completed with line I46 extending to the motor 2|. A second line I41, also leading from a source of energy, completes the circuit to the motor 2|; however, the circuit in the latter line is subject to be broken within the switch box I43. A line I46 forms an indirect continuation of the line I41 from the switch box I43 to the motor 2|.

The wiring which forms the circuit to the magnetic coil 15 is independent of the circuit for operating the motor 2|. A line I49 leads from a. source of energy to the magnetic coil 15. A second line I50 leads from a source of energy to the switch box I43, and then in the form of line ,I5I extends to the magnetic coil 15. The only function of the switch box I43 is to break the circuit 'of the magnetic coil 15 and motor 2| during the application of the first ply. Thereafter the button I44 resets the circuits and the motor 2| is operable through the switch box I3I,

While we have shown electrical circuits in a foot pedal I32 I simplified form, it is to be understood that the circuit may be improved in various ways. For example, relays may intercept the circuits, and automatic means may be included for braking the motor by causing a change in the circuit, tending to reverse the direction of rotation of the armature.

the tire building supports is provided in theform of the stock storage rack 6. This rack consists generally of a frame I52 (Fig. 2) adapted to hold rolls of stock in tangential relation with the tire building support. A roller I53 extending from the frame I52 supports a. roll of fabric I54 which in the present tire building operation forms the second ply of the carcass assembly. From the roller I53 the fabric I54 passes arounda roller I55 and over a guide frame I56 attached to a bracket I51 extending from the main frame I3. In this position the fabric I54 is in receptive location for assembly with the tire carcass.

A liner I58 which separates the convolutions of the roll of fabric I54 is separated from the fabric at the roller I55 and is wound up on a roller I59 mounted on an arm I60 which is pivoted at I6I to the frame I52.

In addition to the second ply fabric I54, the

stock storage rack also supplies chafing strips I62 and a tread I63. The chafing strip stock I62 is wound upon a roller I64 between convolutions of a liner which is rewound upon a roller I65 rotatably attached to anarm I66 pivotally connected at I61 to the frame I52. The chafing strip stock I62 passes around the positioning roller I68 and on tothe guiding devices I69 attached to the bracket I51.

- The tread stock I63 is supplied in the form of a roll wound upon a roller I10 extending from the frame I52. When the tread stock I63 is withdrawn from the roller I10 a liner I1I which separates the convolutions of the tread stock is rewound upon a roller. I12 rotatably attached to an arm I13 pivotally mounted at I14 to the frame I52. A positioning roller I15 and a guiding device I16 locate the tread stock I63 in proper relation with the tire building support.

The guiding device I69 for the chafing strip stocks I62 and the guiding device I16 for the tread I63 are located in such relative position that the chafing strip stocks I62 become attached to the marginal portions of the tread stock I63 before they are applied to the tire carcass. The assembled relation of the tread I63 with the chafing strips I62 is shown particularly in Fig. 19. The stock storage rack as thus described is a simplified form, shown principally for the purpose of illustration. It should be understood that various forms of stock storage devices may be substituted for the embodiment disclosed herein, and that such devices may contain automatic mechanism for supplying the stock relatively free and without tension.

Second ply application in this operation. The stitcher roll I, however, remains in contact engagement with the pulley 8. a I

As previously described, the switch box I43 is moved on its pivotal support out of engagement with the building pulley 1. The tire building support is now in receptive position for application of the second ply.

At the end of the second ply I54 normally hangs over the end of the guiding device I56 (Fig. 2). The end portion of this ply is manually grasped by the operator and positioned in proper relation on top of the assembled first ply. The leading portion of the second ply, because of its tacky nature, readily adheres to the first ply. Thereafter the operator actuates the foot pedal I32 for operating the motor 2|. As a result, the second ply fabric I 54 is withdrawn from the stock storage rack, and is wrapped circumferentially around the tire building supports.

When one revolution of the carcass is com pleted, the operator causes the tire building supports to stop rotating, and with manual means such as a pair of shears cuts the second ply diagonally, leaving a small marginal portion for the purpose of overlapping the opposite end of the same ply.

During the circumferential movement of the second ply the stitching roller I4I rolls the second ply in compact engagement with the first ply. Additional fabric plies could be applied by the same procedure and duplicated storage facilities.

Tread and chafing strip application As previously described, the chafing strips I62 and the tread I63 are assembled in proper relation with each other before they are applied to the tire carcass. Therefore, this material is applied in the form of a single strip stock.

The end portions of these stocks hang over the end of the guiding device I69 (Fig. 2). From this position the operator manually grasps the end portion of the stock, and unites it in adhesion and on top of the second ply.

In the next operation the stitching unit I11 (Fig. 2) is pivotally moved into position relative to the tire carcass assembled on the supports I and 8. The engaged position of the stitching unit I11 is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 19 which shows stitching discs I18 and I19 in contact relation with the carcass assembly. The

stitching unit I11 (Fig. 2) includes arms I80.

pivotally mounted at I 8I to the bracket I51. Additional arms I82 pivoted at I83 to the arms I80 permit lateral adjustment of the stitching discs I18 and I19 relative to the tire carcass. A hand lever I84 connected to one of the arms I80 controls lateral movement of the arms I82 through a cam movement (not shown) associated with the hand lever I 84.

The motor 2I is again actuated, and the stocks I62 and I63 are withdrawn from the storage rack until a complete revolution of the stock is made around the circumference of the tire building supports. The operator causes the tire building supports to stop rotating, and by means such as the hand operated shears severs the stocks I62 and I63. Thereafter, the ends of these stocks are joined in butt relation. The operator causes the tire building supports to rotate until all of the elements have been stitched by the roller Ill, and the stitching discs I18 and I19. This completes the tire assembly operation.

it will be understood The stitching unit I11 is thereafter moved out of engagement with the tire carcass, the stitching unit I33 is also moved still further from engagement with the supporting pulley 8 so as to move the stitching roller MI out of contact with the carcass.

The foot pedal 35 is manually actuated, causing the sheaves 9 and I to move inwardly and out of engagement with the carcass. The carcass is now free from any attachment to the tire building supports, and it may be readily removed axially from the tire building supports.

To start the building of another tire, tire beads I30 are applied, as previously described, the stitching unit I33 is moved into engagement with the pulley 8, and the switch box I43 is swung on its pivot into position relative to the tire building pulley 1. Thereafter the various plies may be assembled in a similar cycle of operation.

While we have shown and preferred method of described a present practicing our invention, that it may be otherwise practiced without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. The method of building a tire band which comprises arranging a pair of bead wires in spaced relation on a pair of spaced pulleys, applying one or more layers of fabric in a direction longitudinally of the fabric circumferentially to one pulley and to the under side of the bead wires, moving the bead wires to feed the fabric between the bead wires and the pulley, turning the marginal portions of the fabric around the bead wires so that the marginal portions overlap the outer surface of the layer of fabric, applying one or more layers of fabric circumferentially to the top side of the bead Wires, and turning the marginal portions of the top layer of fabric around the bead wires so that the marginal portions overlap the under side of the bead wires.

2. The method of building a tire band which comprises arranging a pair of head wires in spaced relation laterally on a pair of spaced pulleys, advancing a layer of fabric laterally toward the reaches of the pulleys, moving the fabric longitudinally of the fabric and into a path in tangential relation with the pulleys, and

applying the fabric to the pulleys and in parallel relation to the bead wires from a location between the pulleys and within the reaches thereof, whereby the bead wires serve to draw and hold the fabric on the pulleys.

3. The method of building a tire which comprises arranging a pair of bead wires in spaced relation laterally on a pair of spaced pulleys, advancing a layer of fabric laterally toward the reaches of the pulleys, moving the fabric into a path in tangential relation with the pulleys and parallel to the bead wires, applying the fabric with a longitudinal movement to the pulleys from a location between the pulleys and within the reaches thereof whereby the bead wires draw the fabric around the pulleys, severing the fabric automatically upon a predetermined movement of the fabric around the pulleys, and applying one or more layers of tire elements circumferentially to the pulleys and on top of the bead wires.

DONALD A. MACDONALD. CORNELIUS M. ODONOHOE. 

